Book Four of the "Diadem: Worlds of Magic" series finds Pixel (the virtual
recluse from Calomir), Score (the street-wise kid from Earth) and Helaine
(the warrior girl from Ordin) back on the planet Dondar where their friends
(the unicorns Thunder, Nova and Flame) are in grave danger.

Having just set the magic of Sarman and The Triad to the business of
regulating the magic which keeps the Diadem worlds functioning smoothly,
they had hope to earn some rest and a chance to consolidate their friendship with the unicorns. Alas,
this was not to be.

Former antagonists of theirs, Oracle and Shanara, combine to try to offer
some assistance to the trio. They aren't able to offer physical
assistance - the laws governing magic on the Diadem worlds prohibit it. But
they offer guidance, even if it turns out to be incomplete, and thus
misleading.

As the youngsters progress through their various adventures they are forced
to mature far more quickly than normal. In the course of little more than
week they go from three very independent, self-absorbed children to a tried
and proven group of young magic users who have come to appreciate the value
of friendship, and who have learned to accept that the universe is a far
stranger and more wonderful place than any of them could have imagined.

I really like this series and I heartily recommend the four books currently
available. I expect that the remaining three books will be available by the
middle of 2005 (Book of Earth [#5] is due out in December of 2004, Book of
Nightmares [#6] is due in March of 2005, Book of War [#7] should be out in
June of 2005). This is a series which young readers (ages 9 to 12,
approximately) should find very enjoyable. It is pure magical escapism. It
is well written with enough challenges to engage the older readers without
it being too deep and heavy for the younger ones. I could easily envision
this series as becoming one of those which, like the "Narnia" series by C.S.
Lewis, will be remembered fondly as children mature. It reinforces the
ideas of cooperation, trust, and careful consideration of circumstances.

Like all good cliffhangers, the ending leaves you wanting more and eagerly
awaiting the next installment.